Compliance Updates
CMA: Spreadex required to sell Sporting Index
An independent CMA panel has decided Spreadex should sell Sporting Index after finding the deal harmed competition for licensed online sports spread betting services.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accepted the proposed sale of Sporting Index, to address the competition concerns it had found in the licensed online sports spread betting market, with some modifications and enhancements.
Last year, Spreadex acquired the ‘business-to-consumer’ business of Sporting Index from Sporting Group Holding Limited (Sporting Group). Spreadex and Sporting Index both provide sports fixed odds betting and sports spread betting services to customers based in the UK.
Sports spread betting involves customers betting on a range of outcomes of sporting events rather than the standard ‘win or lose’ outcomes offered by fixed-odds betting. In spread betting, the closer a customer’s bet is to an outcome, the more money they stand to win, and the further away from the outcome they are, the more they stand to lose. This means that, in contrast to fixed odds betting, customers’ wins and losses could be far higher than the amount they bet.
After conducting an in-depth Phase 2 investigation into the deal, the CMA’s independent panel has concluded the deal created a monopoly in the UK licensed online sports spread betting market, eliminating competition in that market. The panel concluded that the merger could lead to a worse user experience, a more limited range of products and/or higher prices for consumers in the UK.
The panel has concluded that, with some modifications and enhancements, the sale remedy proposed by Spreadex is sufficient to remedy the competition concerns and restore competition in this market that is lost as a result of the deal.
The CMA now has 12 weeks to either accept Final Undertakings from Spreadex, or to make a Final Order requiring Spreadex, to sell Sporting Index to a suitable CMA-approved buyer.
Richard Feasey, the chair of the independent panel reviewing the merger, said:
“This deal eliminates competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting services in the UK.
Sports spread betting – like any other market – needs competition to drive good customer experience, maintain choice and keep prices competitive. To achieve this, we have decided that Spreadex should sell Sporting Index, so that customers can choose between two firms for the best user experience and prices, rather than having to use only one. “
Further details are available on the SpreadEx / Sporting Index case page.
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The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has imposed a first penalty payment order on YouTube influencer LeftlanePapi for promoting illegal gambling.
The YouTube channel LeftlanePapi showed videos with live streams of online gambling from illegal providers. The illegal providers were also actively advertised, by encouraging viewers to also play there. The KSA issued a warning to the influencer. Because the content in question was not removed after the warning and new streams were made, the KSA imposed a penalty. Existing content must be removed and no new advertising may be made. If this does happen, the influencer will receive a penalty of €25,000 per violation, with a maximum of €75,000.
With its new approach, the KSA opts for a two-track policy. After establishing a violation, influencers receive a message that they must stop their activities within 48 hours and that illegal content must be removed. If the influencer does not do so, the KSA approaches the social media platform so that the harmful content is removed in any case. The influencer is given a penalty under penalty of a fine, as was also the case with Leftlanepapi. The KSA has now warned several influencers.
The post KSA Imposes Penalty Payment Order on Influencer Leftlanepapi appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
French gambling regulator ANJ has appointed Pauline Hot as its new Director General.
A former student of the École normale supérieure and the École nationale d’administration (Hannah Arendt class), Pauline Hot has been an auditor and then a master of requests at the Council of State since 2020. There, she served as rapporteur to the 6th chamber of the litigation section and to the administration section. She has held the position of Deputy Director General of the ANJ since January 2025.
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Ahmed Baker Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games
INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE
Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Provisional Michigan gaming licence by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), effective today. This achievement allows the company to bring its innovative suite of Real-Money Games to operators and players across the state.
The Michigan licence represents Incentive Games’ first foray into the North American regulated market. This comes shortly after the launch of Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, which is set to drive its ambitious growth in this sector. The licence underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational integrity. Obtaining this licence, which requires excellence in areas such as robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures, provides access to one of the most dynamic iGaming markets in the United States.
Ahmed Baker, Chief Commercial Officer at Incentive Games, said, “Securing our Michigan licence marks an exciting new chapter for Incentive Games. It’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards and unlocks a significant opportunity for us in a critical North American growth market. This will allow Incentive Games to forge new partnerships and bring our highly engaging Real-Money Games directly to players in Michigan. We’re very grateful to the MGCB for this achievement, which is a pivotal step in our global expansion strategy as we continue to deliver world-class products and build strong partnerships in the region.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES MICHIGAN GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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